With Jose Reyes out, New York Mets stuck with Ramon Martinez at shortstop for now

Richard Drew/Associated PressRamon Martinez, attempting to tag out the Marlins' Mike Rabelo in a March spring training game, is the Mets' only option at shortstop right now with Jose Reyes out.

BOSTON -- Jerry Manuel wished there was a better answer, but there wasn't. Yes, Ramon Martinez was starting at shortstop again Saturday. And no, the Mets didn't have much of a choice.

"We don't have any other options," Manuel said with a grin, shaking his head. "No options."

Martinez started against the Red Sox again because of injuries to Jose Reyes and Alex Cora, despite having committed four errors and going 1 for 16 at the plate in three games before Saturday.

If the Mets had a better replacement, they would gladly call that player up from the minors. But right now, they don't.

General manager Omar Minaya mentioned two players at Class AA Binghamton as possible alternatives to Martinez: Ruben Tejada and Jose Coronado. But Coronado was recently demoted after starting the year hitting .141 with six errors at Triple-A Buffalo, and Tejada was hitting only .232 with five errors at Binghamton entering Saturday.

So Martinez it is, for now. Reyes, who is day-to-day with right calf tendinitis, said he felt a little better Saturday. He took batting practice and fielded grounders before the game, but said he would not try a more important test -- running -- until Sunday at the earliest.

Other pre-game news and notes from Fenway Park:

*As expected, Ryan Church was out of the starting lineup with soreness in his right hamstring and torso. He is day-to-day.

*Carlos Beltran was the designated hitter again, as his sore right knee prevented him from playing center field. Jeremy Reed started in center, and David Wright -- whom Manuel had wanted to use as their DH -- started at third instead.

*Manuel said setup man J.J. Putz, who was unavailable with a stiff neck Friday, would be available Saturday.